Mother Doris Oates

Mother Doris Oates aka "Big Mama" was born to R.D. and Gussie Allen on March 6, 1938, in Hubbard, Texas. She graduated from Wheatly High School in Hubbard, Texas. She was the fifth sibling out of thirteen siblings, which consisted of seven boys and six girls. She has four living sisters (Effie Brewster, Ruby Dickerson, Betty Sneed, and Murlene Whitson). She has one living: brother Robert Allen. Mother Oates furthered her education working in the nursing field for a multitude of years at St. Anthony's Hospital. She married the love of her life, Rev. Erben Oates in Holy matrimony on March 14,1959, in Amarillo, Texas. To their Union they added six loving children. She was a holy ghost filled woman and became the First Lady of Victory Temple Church for sixteen years until the death of her husband Erben Oates in 1998. She was very active and supportive of the Church of God in Christ both at the local, district, and State levels. Mother Oates was a licensed Evangelist Missionary who worked steadfast and endlessly doing the work of the Lord. She held several revivals which in return led many souls to Christ. Mother Doris Oates was an exceptional woman who took great pride in caring for her family and Church. Her favorite bible scripture was Psalms 23. Mother Oates took her walk in Christ serious and encouraged women to diligently seek the Lord with all their heart. Mother Doris Oates was a loyal and faithful member of Victory Temple Church until God called her home. 

Mother Doris Oates departed life on Monday October 25, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents R.D. and Gussie Allen; her husband Erben Oates, daughter Debra Kirk, six brothers and a sister. 

She leaves to mourn a strong God-fearing legacy in the form of her children: Earl (Irene) Oates, Patricia Brown, Theresa Jackson, Sonja Oates, and Marie Oates, fourteen grandchildren, Lontreia (Patrick) Thomas; Anthony Oates; Kenneth (Amanda) Brown; Trashauna Oates; Trashaunda Tatum; Timotheus Kelly; Cody (Venus)Brown; Austin (Leannah) Brown, Sandron (Gloria) Kirk, Chidwi Chintsanya, Shaquesha Oates, Alexia Lawarence, JaQuinn Kelly, and Isaiah Kelly. She has sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of adopted children and grandchildren. To her family and all that knew her, she was a loving, dedicated, compassionate, patient, and Godfearing woman. Big Mama, you will be greatly missed.